Cambridge Society of Dorset

Cambridge Society of Dorset

  • Durdle Door, Dorset

The Cambridge Society of Dorset is a well-established group dating from 1984 with a lively membership of over 120.  Each year we offer a varied programme of talks and visits to places of interest around the County. These usually include an opportunity for informal social gatherings and a convivial meal.

All Cambridge alumni are warmly welcomed to join these events, as are their partners and guests. We also enjoy reciprocal invitations from adjacent counties which extends our range of contacts and events. Those considering joining are encouraged to come to any events of interest.

Recent speakers have included Simon Lole, the internationally esteemed choral director, organist, composer of over 100 works, arranger and broadcaster, and Dr Lucy Pollock, author of ‘The Book about Getting Older’, of which Sandi Toksvig wrote: ‘The most important book about the second half of your life you’ll ever read. I wish everyone in the UK could be under Dr. Lucy’s care, but this is the next best thing’.

We were given a comprehensive tour of Athelhampton House, held our first ‘casual’ meeting, at the Royal Motor Yacht Club in Poole. And our annual  Garden Party was blessed with excellent weather, entertainment and attendance
Our flagship event is the Annual Lunch at the end of October.  We hosted Dr Gordon Plant, a neuro-opthalmologist, Cambridge graduate, formerly of the National Hospital for Neurological Diseases and Moorfields Eye Hospital, who talked on “How Eye Disease affected the Styles of Great Painters”.

A programme for 2025 is at an advanced planning stage..  In February we have a talk on Oppenheimer, the man and the movie.  As this is a Saturday, we hope that those who find a traditional mid-week meeting a problem will be able to attend.  In April we have arranged a visit to Poundbury when residents will be talking about the success (or otherwise?) of the Prince of Wales’ (as he then was) project. The Royal Motor Yacht Club in Poole will again host us an informal drop-in evening, which we hope to replicate on a regular basis through the year, and the Garden Party will celebrate midsummer.  A topical talk in early July and a tour of Milton Abbey in August are at an in advanced planning stage.  We will then round off the year with our AGM at Bryanston, when our speaker will be current Cambridge don David Smith on Oliver Cromwell: Hero or Villain.  Lunch will, as always, form an integral part of each gathering.

The Society always needs fresh input and welcomes enquiries from those interested in joining our group as well as new ideas and suggestions for future activities. These can be made via the Email Group link shown below.

Chair
John Riley (Trinity College 1963)
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Please do not use this form to send unsolicited advertising or promotional material. See our acceptable use policy for more information.

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We are committed to protecting your personal information and being transparent about what information we hold. Your data is used by us for alumni and supporter relations, and for fundraising. Please read our full data protection statement

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Chair
John Riley (Trinity College 1963)
General Committee Member
David Bateman (Selwyn College 1969)
General Committee Member
Alexa Beazer (Emmanuel College 1996)
General Committee Member
Joy Duffen (Murray Edwards College 1974)
General Committee Member
Mark Vye (Pembroke College 1973)
President
Edward KNOWLES (Gonville & Caius College 1958)
Secretary
Bobby KNOWLES (Newnham College 1964)
Treasurer
David Frith (Jesus College 1966)

We are always delighted to welcome new members to our group and look forward to seeing you at our events. To join the Society, please follow the link below to access our membership form.

We charge a £5 annual subscription to be on the mailing list.

Group contacts can request an update to this page.